Stephanie%2520Metzger Archive

The Lake County Captains dropped the finale of a four-game series on Sunday as the Lansing Lugnuts and one of the Toronto Blue Jays’ top prospects put the brakes on the Captains’ bats. Right-hander Jake Sisco took the mound for his first start of the season to counter Lansing’s Roberto Osuno. Osuno, considered the top prospect on the current Lugnuts team, is an 18-year-old righty out of Mexico.

The Lake County Captains kicked off the 2013 season with a 5-4 win over the Lansing Lugnuts, thanks to some timely offense and speed on the bases. Right-hander Luis DeJesus took the bump first for the Captains to counter Lansing’s Javier Avenado. Avenado is a big right-hander whom the Blue Jays organization picked from the minor league Rule 5 draft back in 2012.

The Cleveland Indians have already kicked off their season in Toronto, but the Lake County Captains are braving the cold at home in Eastlake. The Captains open up their season on Thursday night, and they’re preparing for the cold weather to come. Despite the unfavorable Cleveland chill, the team is warming up to the anticipated new season. The IBI's Stephanie Metzger previews the 2013 version of the Captains!

One’s first season playing pro ball is full of adjustments, lessons and personal tests. Cleveland Indians infielder Joe Wendle understands the importance of learning everywhere, from between the foul lines to off the field. The IBI's Stephanie Metzger recently caught up with him to get caught up with how his offseason is going and what he is looking forward to this season.

Life in the pros consists of day-to-day opportunity. Each day a player treads across the dirt of the diamond, new opportunities surface. For Cleveland Indians’ right-hander Shawn Armstrong, opportunities lie in overlooked places. He had a banner season last year across three levels, and going into this season he is well on the Major League radar. The IBI's Stephanie Metzger recently sat down and talked with him and shares what he said in here latest.

The Akron Aeros celebrated an Eastern League Championship win last fall, and with a new season on the loom, they’re looking to win over fans with some ballpark improvements. One is the installation of a new state-of-the-art HD video scoreboard. Stephanie Metzger shares the details.

Some people work to live, while others live to work. Cleveland Indians’ centerfielder LeVon Washington prefers the latter. After a disappointing 2012 campaign that was cut very short because of a hip injury, Washington is hard at work this offseason and has focused 100% of his effort on making a big comeback in 2013.

Outfielder Jeremie Tice is getting used to his new position, recovering from another injury, and enjoying life with his newborn son. Injuries have plagued him throughout his career and he is just trying to overcome them the best he can and also be as consistent a player as he can. Stephanie Metzger recently had a chance to sit down with Tice to see how everything is going on all of those fronts and more.

Outfield prospect Anthony Gallas completed his second full season with the Indians’ organization this past year and put together a strong campaign for himself at High-A Carolina. With the offseason in full swing, the IPI's Stephanie Metzger had a chance to catch up with Gallas a few days ago and see how things are going this offseason and reflect on his 2012 campaign.

Fresh off an Eastern League Championship, the Akron Aeros made more waves on Wednesday when they introduced new owner Ken Babby. The 32-year-old Babby is the owner of fast Forward Sports Group and will replace former team owners Mike and Greg Agganis.

The Lake County Captains had a great 2012 season that they topped off with a postseason run sending them to the second round of the Midwest League playoffs. They did something that is hard to do in the minors which is develop and win at the same time, something that is a testament to the coaching staff and players there this season. Stephanie Metzger recaps the season that was for the Captains.

The Lake County Captains’ 2012 season came to a close as they fell 13-6 to the Fort Wayne TinCaps in the third game of the Midwest League Division championship on Monday. Right-hander Cody Anderson (4-7, 3.20) received the nod to start for the Captains to counter Fort Wayne righty James Needy (1-0, 3.60).

The Lake County Captains have moved on to the next round of the Midwest League playoffs, and one of the key members of the bullpen right-hander Cody Penny recently sat down with the IPI's Stephanie Metzger to talk about his first pro season, his goals, his stuff, and the playoff run.

The Akron Aeros fell to a 2-0 series deficit against the Bowie Baysox in a 7-5 loss on Thursday as the Aeros couldn’t overcome the Baysox two-run eighth inning. Lefty T.J. House (10-5, 3.56) received the nod to start for the Aeros against Bowie right-hander Mike Wright (10-5, 4.06).

The Lake County Captains clung to a one-run lead on Wednesday as reliever Nick Pasquale pitched the Captains to a 5-4 win over the Bowling Green Hot Rods. Right-hander Cody Anderson (4-7, 3.20) took the bump for the Captains to counter Bowling Green's Parker Markel (11-5, 3.53), who has been the Hot Rods most formidable starter during the second half of the season.

Baseball season can seem long and tedious at times, especially for someone who has played nearly every day, but for Akron Aeros’ first baseman Jesus Aguilar, it’s all about enjoying the opportunities. Aguilar finished off another good developmental year with the Indians and now gets to have fun with his Akron teammates in the Eastern League playoffs.

Available IBI Books

The 2014 Cleveland Indians Baseball Insider book featuring the Indians' Top 100 Prospects and more is now available. Also, previous editions from 2008-2012 are also available at a discounted rate. Just click on the book image for more information. Thanks again for all the support!